With the colder weather here to stay it's definitely time to pack away the beach-wear and thongs and invest in some hot new pieces for A/W 2008. The vibe for this season is classy yet sexy, an undertone of femininity contrasted with edgy and androgynous pieces. The must-haves we've picked are versatile and can be worked into a wide range of personal styles:

>> LEATHER

What to buy: Cropped leather jackets, hooded leather jackets, leather pencil skirts in a short or mini length.

How to wear it: Only wear one leather piece at a time and contrast it with materials like chiffon, silk, cashmere and soft knits. Jackets look great thrown over a feminine dress and skirts can be worn with a soft knit top, stockings and ballet flats or booties.

Search for: cropped leather jacket | xs leather jacket | leather hooded | sportsgirl leather | witchery leather | leather skirt | lover skirt

>> BLAZERS

What to buy: Cropped blazers, boyfriend (over-sized) blazers.

How to wear it: Wear your favourite teeshirt/top tucked into a high-waisted skirt and throw a unbuttoned blazer over the top. Also works well over jeans.

Search for: cropped blazer | ladies blazer | vintage blazer | cue blazer | ralph lauren blazer

>> OXFORDS

What to buy: High-heeled oxfords with patent detail, two-tones oxfords, flat-heeled oxfords, black ankle-high, flat-heeled oxfords.

How to wear it: With skinny jeans, cigarette pants, dresses and skirts with tights, stockings and socks... the options are endless!

Search for: oxfords | oxford shoes | oxford boots | mollini oxfords | chloe boot

>> HIGH WAISTS

What to buy: Skating skirts, pencil skirts, jeans, wide-leg pants.

How to wear it: Choose a style that suits your shape (skating skirts give the illusion of a small waist and kick out at the hips while pencil skirts emphasise what curves you already have). Wear with a tee or knit top tucked in and belted and layer a jacket over the top for warmth. High-waisted jeans and pants can be worn like this as well.

Search for: high waisted skirt | high waist | sass bide high waist | high waisted pants

>> LEGWEAR

What to buy: Lamé leggings, opaque stockings, ribbed stockings, patterned stockings, cotton stockings, thigh highs, knee highs.

How to wear it: Under shorts, skirts and dresses. Metallics and lamé fabrics instantly update and add glam/edge to an outfit. Socks can be slightly tricky, but when worn right over stockings or with boots for extra warmth, they look super cute.

Search for: american apparel leggings | thigh high socks | knee high socks | opaque stockings | kookai thigh highs | lamé leggings

>> PRETTY DRESSES

What to buy: Tea dresses, mini dresses, shift dresses, print dresses.

How to wear it: Don't put away those pretty spring dresses yet! Get extra wear out of them by pairing them with stockings, oxfords and a jacket or cardigan over the top.

Search for: tea dress | vintage dress | witchery dress | miu miu dress | marc jacobs dress | chloe dress | susien chong dress | dotti dress

>> COSY ACCESSORIES

What to buy: Chunky-knit scarves, cable knit scarves, neck scarves (the square, silky ones), arm warmers, hand warmers, berets, beanies.

How to wear it: Add interest to an outfit by adding a scarf, hat or hand warmers in an interesting pattern. Make sure that some of the colours of your accessories tie in with the colours of the outfit you are wearing so you look casually thrown together rather than 'got dressed in the dark'.

Search for: arm warmers | fingerless gloves | marc jacobs gloves | roxy gloves | crochet beret | burberry scarf | chanel scarf

>> MAKEUP TREND

What to buy: Black eyeliner, dark brown eyeliner, volumising/lengthening mascara, nude lipstick/lip gloss, nail polish in red, purple, navy and black.

How to wear it: The look on all the runways this season is nude lips, smokey eyes and statement nail polish. Keep the lips simple with a touch of gloss or nude lipstick and emphasise your eyes by lining the top and/or bottom lids with a smudey liner and applying 1-2 coats of mascara to your top lashes.

Search for: diorshow | loreal mascara | mac eyeliner | opi | napoleon | clinique



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